Mining-machine chain



Nov. 212, 1927.

F. L. FULKE MINING lflACHINE 01mm Filed April 18, 19. 57

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ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 22,1

UNITEDSTATES I restart TEN QFF E-J FRANK L. FULKE, or TERRE HAUrrn, INDIANA, AssIenon or ONE-HALF roflnnn vran 0. 330:: Ann ONE-HALF ro nosornv H. rungs.

' MINING-MACHINE 01mm.

Application filed April 18, 1927.-.Seria1 No. 184,588.

My invention relates to cutter chains for mining machines andhas for its object to provide an improved form of connecting link for the chain blocks which will increase the wearing qualities of the chains, prevent the lateral separation :of the links and relieve the connecting pins of the links of a portion of their loads. it I For the purpose of disclosing my 1nvention I have illustrated one embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a chain embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan View thereof partly in section;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of one of chain blocks;

Fig. 1 is a side elevation looking from the interior of one of the chain links, and

Fig. 5 is a plan view of one of the chain links.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated the cutter chain is adapted for minthe ' ing machines and is made up of a seriesof chain blocks 1 connected together by a series of links or straps 2. Each of the blocks 1 is provided with a cutter or bit 3 secured in a socket extending substantially vertically into the bit-carrying portion 15 of the block and held in the socket by a set screw 4 extending into the block portion 15 from the front end thereof. The blocks as is usual in this construction, are provided with laterally extending guide lips 5 which en-.

gage in the guide grooves of the cutter chain guides of the mining machine.

The connecting straps 2 are duplicate in construction except that they consist of rights and lefts and each strap is provided at its ends with rivet holes 6 which pass through the strap and through the internal bearing lugs or bosses 7 formed on the inner faces of the straps. These bosses or bearing members 7 fit within openings in the chain blocks andform the pivotal connections between the straps and the blocks, taking the wearing strain off of the connecting rivets 8 which extend through the openings 6 and serve merely as a means for holding the straps together. The length of the lugs or hearing bosses 7 is such that when the straps or links are drawn together by the rivets 8 they abut to form a continuous bearing memher and alsoprevent any clamping action of the straps on the blocks 1.

'Each 01 the strapsQ is provided with an extension 9 projecting upwardly fromthe upper edge thereof and morenearly adjacent one end ot' the strap than the other, the lo- 'cation being suchthalt the-projection is immediately in rear oi the rear end of the bit-carrying. portion 15 of the next preceding block which leaves ample clearance between the Pl'0160t1011 and the set or look mg screw 4 111 the nnmediately succeeding block 1. This extension is provided with a front vertical edge 10Wl1l0l1 has asvery slight clearance with respect to the rear end of the bit-carryingportion 15 of the block 1 and forms a back lock in connection with the block 1 to prevent the chain fromvbe'nding backward. The extension is also provided with a rivet opening 11 surrounded on the inner face of the extension with a laterally extending boss 12, the bosses of the two straps being adapted to meet and abut in the center and thereby provide spacers to prevent the pair of straps from becoming drawn too closely together when connected at this point by a rivet 13.

The straps, like the blocks 1, are provided with guide lips 14:.

The extension 9, and particularly as located at the point indicated, provides means for placing the third rivet, for connecting the straps together, at a point which will not interfere with the sprocket teeth of the wheel over which the chain passes and will, I

at the same time, give ample clearance for the operation of the locking screw 4 to permit the insertion and removal of the cutters 3.

I claim:

1. A chain for mining machines comprislllg a series of chain blocks, aseries of chain straps pivotally connected with said blocks, rivets passing through each end of said straps for connecting a pair of straps together and to the blocks, each of said straps having at its forward end an upwardly extending project-ion adjacent the rear end of the bit-carrying portion of the next pre ceding chain block, a rivet passing through the projections of a pair of straps for securing the straps together at this point and 2. A chain for mining machines comprising a series ofchain blocks having transversely extending openings at each end thereof, a series of pairs of chain straps each pairihaving at its opposite end inwardly projecting bearing lugs arranged to fit within the openings of the blocks, openings in said straps and lugs, rivets passing through said straps and lugs'for clamping a pair of straps together, each of said straps having on its upper ed e'at its forwardend and closely adjacent the rear end of the bit-carrying portion of thenext preceding block a projection having inwardly extending bosses and provided with an opening extending through the projection and boss, and a rivet passing through the projections of a pair of straps and securing the straps together at this point.

, 3. A chain for mining machines comprising a series of chain blocks, a series of pairs of straps pivotally connected to said chain blocks,reach strap of the pair having on its upper edge an upwardly extending projection having its forward edge forming an abutment forthe rear end of the bit-carrying portion of the next'preceding block, said projections being adjacent the rear end of the next preceding block and toward the forward end of the strap and having inwardly extending abutment members and openings, and rivets extending through the openings and ahutments in said extensions and clamping thestraps together at this point. I

. In witness whereof, I, FRANK L. FULKE, have hereunto set my hand at Terre Haute, Indiana, this 15th day of April, A. D. one

- thousand nine hundred and twenty-seven.

FRANK L. FULKE. 

